Published: June 20, 2008 08:50 pm         

Pritchard family pleas for help

Lauren Hensley Pritchard (Pendleton) died twice and then went into a coma after suffering a traumatic brain injury as a result of overdosing on the drug Xanax.

After being released from the hospital, Lauren spent the next 85 days at a rehab hospital where she improved dramatically with therapy.

However, because she has no private-pay insurance, she was forced to move to a nursing facility. She does have Medicaid, but Medicaid will not pay for physical therapy.

Today she must use a feeding tube and cannot walk or talk.

Lauren has been without therapy since June 2006 and is now a quadriplegic. She desperately needs therapy to learn how to walk and talk again.

Lauren has been accepted for therapy by the Florida Institute for Neurologic Rehabilitation, Inc. in Wauchula, Florida. However, accordiing to a letter from the institute, the initial review of Lauren’s condition indicates a minimum stay of six to 12 months at a cost of $700 per day. This amounts to $255,500 for 12 months of therapy.

A foundation has been set up in Lauren’s name. For a tax deductible contribution receipt, please make your check out to “Heart of God Foundation,” a 501c(3) nonprofit corporation who has partnered with us in this appeal.

You may send your contribution directly to Heart of God Foundation, P. O. Box 434, Mustang, OK, 73064-0434. Please state that you desire your contribution to go to the needs of Lauren Pritchard.

Donations may also be made to the Lauren Pendleton Rehabilitation Fund at Sooner State Bank in Tuttle.

You may become a Corporate Sponsor by providing therapy for one day, one month, or more.

One hour of therapy costs $100.

One day of therapy costs $700.

Lauren will need at least a year of in-patient rehablitation.

Lauren is a 2003 Yukon High School graduate.